Where I grew up, many people believed that being a Republican was also about a very visible and concentrated form of patriotism. Naturally, patriotism has something public about it—it just doesn’t cut it to be a patriot in private. Sure, you can wear American flag underwear and eat hot dogs three times a week, but how does that serve your country? As I got older, I also understood that doing the most I could to blend in with those around me might help me fit in, and survive, at school; not only did silent approval quickly convey a set of acceptable values to other people, but it also meant
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